Femme Fatale Fitness bulks up new space

An alternative women’s fitness center is relocating and expanding in Kettering.

Femme Fatale Fitness, currently located inside of Club 51 Fitness in Centerville, operating in a 1,000 square foot space, is moving to 4049 Marshall Road. In addition to gaining increased visibility by having its own space, the company will triple its current size.

“We’re finally able to make the environment our own,” said Cassie Guard, owner of the business. “Most of our clients, when they come to us, are coming to escape and get away from the kids. This new place will make them feel like they’ve gone to a whole other world.”

Guard hopes to open in early October after completing up to $22,000 worth of renovations and decorations in the empty space. Huber Management Corp. is managing the construction. Tony Pinto, commercial real estate manager with Huber Management, represented the shopping center in the lease negotiations.

The 3,000-square-foot facility will give more room for Femme Fatale to offer a variety of fitness classes for women over 18, including aerial silk, trapeze, boxing and pole fitness.

Femme Fatale has moved around several times, starting in Springboro and eventually opening two locations in Centerville, but Guard said she realized it would be easier to operate out of one facility, and closed the second space in Centerville.

For now, the pole fitness classes are on hold because the space inside Club 51 doesn’t work. Currently eight fitness teachers contract with Femme Fatale. Guard said she expected to hire more teachers in the new space, but she wasn’t sure how many.

She said she may stay with Club 51 and operate out of both locations if there is enough interest.

Guard started the alternative fitness business in 2008, recognizing an opportunity to offer a different exercise experience locally.

Alternative fitness is a trend happening nationwide that is just now reaching Dayton, Guard said. Although there is a lot of money to be made by just following the hype, Guard said she wants to bring in long-term clients.

“If I wanted to treat the business like a trend we would just have pole bachelorette parties,” Guard said. “Currently we’re choosing to take our time on the profit end of things.”

Women older than 18 can buy memberships to gain access to all the classes or can pay on a per-class basis.

“We have 90 percent clientele retention,” Guard said. “People who come to us only leave if they have a baby, lose a job or move. We never lose clients because they’re tired of what we do or they’re bored.”

Katie Hammonds, a Beavercreek resident who has been coming to Femme Fatale for two years, said she really likes the atmosphere.

“I like that there’s variety,” she said. “It keeps you on your toes. And if you bring up something, they’ll try it. They’re open to everything.”